Items filtered by date: June 2023

An early symptom of the foot condition that is known as gout may be detected in the blood. Elevated purine or uric acid levels may indicate gout has developed, which can lead to painful attacks. Gout is a form of arthritis and generally affects the joints in the big toe. It can cause debilitating pain and may be accompanied by swelling and redness. Gout can develop from genetic reasons, or from eating foods that have large amounts of purines. These types of foods can include shellfish, red meat, and drinks that are made with heavy amounts of sugar. Many people have gout attacks at night, and pain can be severe during the first several hours. Effective prevention techniques may consist of reducing the number of foods that are eaten that have purines, eliminating alcohol, and drinking plenty of water daily. If you have had one or frequent gout attacks, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a podiatrist who can help you to manage this condition. 

Gout is a painful condition that can be treated. If you are seeking treatment, contact Dr. James Kutchback from James Kutchback, DPM, ABLES, CWS-P. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. The condition usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. A gout attack can occur at any random time, such as the middle of the night while you are asleep.

Symptoms

• Intense Joint Pain - Usually around the large joint of your big toe, and it most severe within the first four to twelve hours
• Lingering Discomfort - Joint discomfort may last from a few days to a few weeks
• Inflammation and Redness -Affected joints may become swollen, tender, warm and red
• Limited Range of Motion - May experience a decrease in joint mobility

Risk Factors

• Genetics - If family members have gout, you’re more likely to have it
• Medications - Diuretic medications can raise uric acid levels
• Gender/Age - Gout is more common in men until the age of 60. It is believed that estrogen protects women until that point
• Diet - Eating red meat and shellfish increases your risk
• Alcohol - Having more than two alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk
• Obesity - Obese people are at a higher risk for gout

Prior to visiting your podiatrist to receive treatment for gout, there are a few things you should do beforehand. If you have gout you should write down your symptoms--including when they started and how often you experience them, important medical information you may have, and any questions you may have. Writing down these three things will help your podiatrist in assessing your specific situation so that he or she may provide the best route of treatment for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in The Woodlands and Woodville, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

People who frequently go to the gym understand the importance of exercising the muscles in their bodies. With this being noted, the feet are often neglected, and many people fail to properly stretch and exercise their feet. The muscles in the feet can be categorized into two different areas, and the intrinsic foot muscles can be referred to as the core of the feet. The arch is maintained by these muscles and can aid in shock absorption. Global muscles are typically larger, and the ankle is moved by these types of muscles, which are also responsible for pointing and flexing the toes. Common exercises to perform consists of picking up marbles with the toes. This stretch can engage both groups of muscles. A strengthening exercise for the toes can be done by spreading them out as far as possible, repeated several times. If you would like more information about how foot exercises can benefit the feet, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can guide you toward effective foot stretches to perform.

Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries and build strength. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. James Kutchback from James Kutchback, DPM, ABLES, CWS-P. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important, and we often forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate enough to not have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rises, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, and flexing the toes. It is best to speak with Our doctor to determine an appropriate regimen for your needs. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different, and the activities required to maintain strength in the feet vary from individual to individual. 

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in The Woodlands and Woodville, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

There are basic facts involving children’s feet that are interesting to know. The bones in children’s feet do not fully develop until the age of 13, and it is helpful to provide them with shoes that have the necessary support as they grow. This is crucial in maintaining good foot health. Many parents realize they are buying shoes at an accelerated rate during the first few years after birth. Research has shown the feet grow the fastest in the first three years. Flexible and comfortable shoes are ideal to purchase, and this can help the child to get accustomed to their growing feet. The feet house one-quarter of the bones that are in the body, and the majority of babies are born with flat feet. The arch generally develops during the teenage years, and having an abnormal foot structure may cause flat feet to lead into adulthood. If you would like more information about children’s foot health, it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist who can provide you with the knowledge you are seeking.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Dr. James Kutchback of James Kutchback, DPM, ABLES, CWS-P. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in The Woodlands and Woodville, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

It typically takes about six weeks to heal from a broken toe, but the actual time frame depends on the severity of the fracture, the age of the person, and pre-existing medical conditions. Symptoms of a broken toe include pain, swelling, and bruising, and it can be difficult to walk. Additionally, a bone may protrude through the skin and the toe may look deformed. Treatments involve taping the broken toe to the toe next to it which provides stability, splinting the toe, or surgery may be necessary for more severe breaks. Resting and elevating the affected foot will help reduce swelling and pain. Simple treatment usually suffices in the healing of a broken toe, however, it is important to seek treatment if pain is severe or walking becomes increasingly difficult. If you have broken your toe, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an examination and treatment recommendations.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Dr. James Kutchback from James Kutchback, DPM, ABLES, CWS-P. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in The Woodlands and Woodville, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.